Perthshire’s Blair Castle features on a spook-tacular new witch trail created by VisitScotland.
Scotland’s tales of witchcraft are being marked during the Year of Stories 2022.
Blair Castle is nestled in the landscape of Highland Perthshire and has a fascinating history of visitors, including Mary Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie and, of course, an alleged witch.
Legend has it that the mountains overlooking the castle have acted as a hiding spot for a powerful witch who could shapeshift into wildlife.
Visitors are being told to keep an eye out for their favourite creatures on a stroll around the grounds.
Witches and witchcraft make for a formative chapter in the story of Scotland covering history, women’s rights, superstition and the supernatural.
There are numerous local tales spread across Scotland about witches and witchcraft based in both fact and legend.
A key focus for Scotland’s Year of Stories is highlighting these tales from communities passed down through the generations.
The trail and map highlight a variety of these locations and attractions all with links to themes associated with witchcraft including a love of nature and modern takes on the lore.
The downloadable guide features 15 locations and will be hosted on VisitScotland.com alongside a blog taking a deeper dive on the subject and offering even more witchcraft-themed visitor experiences.
Alongside Blair Castle, experiences on the map include Calanais Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis, The Witchery by the Castle, Edinburgh, Kirkwall Witchy Walk, Orkney, East Neuk Seaweed, Fife and Abbotsford House, Scottish Borders.
Cat Leaver, VisitScotland head of brand and content, said: “As we mark Scotland’s Year of Stories, it is important to showcase tales of all kinds and highlight some of the truly unique experiences on offer in Scotland.
“This new witch trail and map does exactly this.”
